Blow molded (HIC) formation with energy buffers

Abstract

A blow molded (HIC) formation with energy buffers provides absorption of vehicle occupant cranial impacts. A generally plastic, forced air, expanded formation defines a cavity, the formation walls being of varied geometric shapes having calculated wall thicknesses, each shape having an energy absorbing and resiliency characteristic. The formation of geometric shapes is positioned depending upon the vehicle stiffness characteristics and the degree of impact absorption required. Geometric shapes employed may consist of sinusoidal waveforms, a gabled design, or either of the preceding with an internal strengthening rib employed to alter formation impact absorbing characteristics. The formation contains an orifice to ensure that vehicle occupant energy is efficiently absorbed during the concurrent events of formation compaction and air expulsion through the orifice. The blow molded formation may be glued or otherwise suitably fastened to an automobile headliner, door panel, pillar, or other location.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An impact absorbing member for a motor vehicle interior, the impact absorbing member comprising: 
       a blow-molded peripheral shell formed to define a hollow internal cavity between a base surface and an external surface of the shell, wherein at least the external surface is formed to create a plurality of geometric buffer elements to define the peripheral shell.  
     
     
       2. The impact absorbing member for a motor vehicle interior of  claim 1  wherein said peripheral shell is of varying wall thickness to provide a range of impact criterion. 
     
     
       3. The impact absorbing member for a motor vehicle interior of  claim 1  wherein said geometric buffer elements are in the shape of sinusoidal waveforms. 
     
     
       4. The impact absorbing member for a motor vehicle interior of  claim 1  wherein said geometric buffer elements are gable-shaped. 
     
     
       5. The impact absorbing member for a motor vehicle interior of  claim 1  wherein said geometric buffer elements are in the shape of a mirror image, double sinusoidal waveform. 
     
     
       6. The impact absorbing member for a motor vehicle interior of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said geometric buffer elements further comprises a strengthening rib formed within the internal cavity. 
     
     
       7. The impact absorbing member for a motor vehicle interior of  claim 1  further comprising a fastener on said external surface. 
     
     
       8. The impact absorbing member for a motor vehicle interior of  claim 7  wherein said exterior fastener is integrally molded into said peripheral shell. 
     
     
       9. An energy absorbing member for an automobile structural member, the energy absorbing member comprising: 
       a blow molded peripheral shell formed to define a hollow internal cavity between a substantially flat base surface and a first surface formed to create a plurality of geometric buffer elements.  
     
     
       10. The energy absorbing member of  claim 9  wherein said peripheral shell further comprises at least one depression for accommodating protuberant structures of said automobile structure. 
     
     
       11. The energy absorbing member of  claim 9  further comprising a blow-molded integral fastener of the same material as said peripheral shell. 
     
     
       12. The energy absorbing member of  claim 9  further comprising a fastener affixed to said peripheral shell and oriented for mounting to said automobile structural member. 
     
     
       13. A blow molded formation for fastening to an automobile structure, the formation comprising: 
       a continuous, resilient, blow molded peripheral shell defining a hollow internal cavity and an orifice in the shell;  
       a plurality of geometric buffer elements defining a first side of the peripheral shell; and  
       a second side, located opposite the first side and defining the remainder of the peripheral shell.  
     
     
       14. The blow-molded formation of  claim 13  wherein said geometric buffer elements are in the shape of sinusoidal waveforms. 
     
     
       15. The blow-molded formation of  claim 14  wherein said second side further comprises sinusoidal waveforms such that said sinusoidal waveforms of said first side are substantially mirror images of said sinusoidal waveforms of said second side. 
     
     
       16. The blow-molded formation of  claim 15  wherein said sinusoidal waveforms of said second side further comprise an integral strengthening rib. 
     
     
       17. The blow molded formation of  claim 13  wherein said second side further comprises a substantially flat surface. 
     
     
       18. The blow-molded formation of  claim 17  wherein said second side comprises an integrally molded strengthening rib, said integrally molded strengthening rib is molded from said substantially flat surface of said second side toward said first side. 
     
     
       19. The blow-molded formation of  claim 13  wherein said geometric buffer elements are gabled. 
     
     
       20. The blow-molded formation of  claim 13  wherein said orifice governs an exiting pressure upon impact of said blow-molded formation.